Green Smoothie Bowls with Mango + Hemp Seeds

Vegan, gluten-free, green smoothie bowls.
I feel like there are two types of people in this world.

Those who like green smoothie bowls.

And those who don’t.

But first let’s talk about smoothies.

When balanced correctly, with the right amount of fat and protein and carbohydrates, they can be the perfect meal replacement or midday snack. I make a seasonal version of this classic green smoothie a few times a week. The original version of this recipe contains fall flavors like apples or pears and hearty greens, cinnamon and flax seed. But you can make it fit any time of year by swapping out the apples and pears for seasonal fruit choices and the cinnamon for corresponding flavors.

I usually eat a smoothie as a snack or when I’m heading out the door to a meeting as a portable breakfast. I drink smoothies mainly for health reasons. They’re a great way to load up on nutrients. And they support a balanced lifestyle. But for me, smoothies aren’t always super satisfying. Especially as a meal. Smoothie bowls though, that’s a totally different story. And there’s actually some science behind this. Yes you guys – really – science!

If you feel weird about dumping your smoothie into a bowl, topping it with really pretty garnishes and sitting down and digging in, maybe this information will help you ease into it. I doubt the smoothie bowl trend started as a means to provide better digestion and meal satisfaction, but they’re certainly subsequent benefits.

The science lies in a few basic principles.

Digestion.

And, absorption.

Satisfaction.

And, enjoyment.

Digestion begins in your mouth. When you chew your food this releases digestive enzymes and so the process begins. Drinking a smoothie basically delivers your food straight from straw to esophagus. Skipping this first digestive stage and chewing altogether. But when we make a smoothie bowl with delicious toppings when are forced to chew. And this kicks off the first stage of digestion. Additionally the more we chew, the more nutrients we release in our food and the more we absorb them into our bodies.

Satisfaction is a big part of what and how much we consume. And according to science, bowls make food taste better, really. Research suggests that the vessel in which we eat our food matters. Eating from a bowl suggests a cozier, more substantial and satiating experience. Which provides a healthier relationship with food, a fuller belly and reduction in overeating.

These green smoothie bowls were originally published in April 2014. Like it, love it or leave it, this post has remained one of my most popular. The images and content have been updated and improved. The recipe has stayed the same. Well, I added a pinch of pink salt because it needed it.

If you don’t have hemp seeds or cannot source them, flax seeds work also. The best part about smoothie bowls are the toppings. See notes below for additional topping options. This recipe makes 1 bowl, and it can easily be double or tripled.

As someone who conducted part of her master’s thesis research on saliva (which is pretty disgusting) this made me so happy! That first step of chewing and the co-mingling of saliva and food is so important for mental perception of satiety. That’s part of the reason why I’ve never been one to consume smoothies. They just don’t do the trick for me. But I kind of forgot all about smoothie bowls. I’ll have to give this one a try! xo

Ah Sherrie – I do love a good update. And I must admit – I am not a smoothie gal. Sure maybe on the rare occasion in the middle of the summer heat, but otherwise I just never even think of them. I do however, love a good juice – go figure. It snowed here last night, but hopefully sometime in July I will think back to you and your wise words and give this beauty a go. Have a great week, xx.

How beautiful and inviting! I used to like smoothies and then I had too much, and I couldn’t think of them at all. Now I am into matcha lattes, but seeing this beauty made me want smoothies again. Thank you!

I love this so much. Thank you for breaking-it-down with such authority. I’m a huge fan of smoothie bowls. Basically, whenever I made a smoothie, I’d end up putting toppings on it, and trying to reach my spoon awkwardly into a tall cup. Inevitably, I became a smoothie bowl convert, and have never looked back. Beautifully recipe here, Sherrie!

I admit that I’ve always been weird about smoothie bowls (despite the fact that I’ve loved acai bowls since the early 2000s). However, I feel like I should get over it and try one because they sound so so convenient. Not to mention they’re usually gorgeous!

So beautiful. Don’t be mad but I’m usually totally on the ‘hate it’ side but mostly because that extra step of adding it to a bowl and getting toppings ready just seemed like too much to me. But with those benefits you mentioned, I should probably just embrace the extra two minutes those steps take and start making my smoothies into bowls.

This is a beautiful smoothie bowl. I was a total skeptic until I grabbed one for dinner at an airport one time and had my aha moment. I could put THINGS on it. IT was visually appealing. I GOT IT. Been a bowl enthusiast ever since.